Transport box and method for transporting chilled products

ABSTRACT

Transport box ( 1 ) that, in an empty state, includes a storage compartment ( 8 ) for products ( 20 ) and includes at least one channel ( 9 ) that is suitable for air transport, that is separated from the storage compartment ( 8 ) by a partition ( 10 ), and which forms a connection between the top of the transport box ( 1 ) and its underside, whereby the transport box ( 1 ) is arranged such that when forming a stack of at least two such transport boxes ( 1 ), a channel ( 9 ) of a lower transport box ( 1 ) connects with a channel ( 9 ) of an upper transport box ( 1 ).

The present invention relates to a transport box and method for transporting chilled products.

It is known that for many products, including fresh food, medicines and flowers, it is desirable or even necessary to keep them chilled or even frozen until the time of use.

This means that the transport and storage before and after transport of such products is not straightforward.

It is known to use chilled storage rooms to store such products and to use vehicles with a chilled compartment to transport such products.

A disadvantage of this is that it is expensive. Consequently, such a method for storage and transport is suitable for the bulk transport and storage of large quantities, but in practice it is too expensive for the transport and distribution of smaller quantities to distributed locations within a short time span, as occurs for example with the distribution of typical quantities intended for end consumers to these end consumers.

This problem of a high cost price is further exacerbated when the quantities to be transported can vary greatly on a regular basis, for example daily, as vehicles and storage facilities then have to be equipped for the greatest anticipated quantities to be transported, irrespective of the actual quantities, while these quantities only actually occur now and again.

As a result, the existing technology does not satisfy or poorly satisfies the price and flexibility requirements for the transport of limited quantities of temperature-sensitive products.

This problem can be partially reduced by using insulating packaging, if need be with supplementary passive cold sources placed in the packaging so that the products to be distributed can stay outside a cooled area for a certain time without spoiling. However, such insulating packaging is relatively expensive and mechanically relatively weak.

Moreover, in the event of unforeseen circumstances, for example traffic problems, such that a vehicle cannot collect or deliver a product at the desired time, the insulating capacity of the packaging can be insufficient to continuously maintain or guarantee a low temperature for the products for long enough.

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a solution to at least one of the aforementioned and other disadvantages, by providing a transport box that comprises a storage compartment for goods and comprises at least one channel that is suitable for air transport, that is separated from the storage compartment by a partition and which forms a connection between the top of the transport box and its underside. The channel of such a transport box can easily connect with a source of cold air, such that the content of the storage compartment can be kept cool or frozen for as long as necessary, and this on a small scale, cheaply and flexibly.

A transport box here is a box that is intended for the transport, and any storage, of goods and which has a storage compartment that is surrounded by a wall at least on the sides and underside, and preferably also on the top.

A transport box in a filled state can preferably be picked up and moved by a person.

In a preferred embodiment the transport box is arranged such that when forming a stack of at least two such transport boxes, in the stack a channel of a lower transport box connects with a channel of an upper transport box.

Hereby a stack of course means a straight stack in which the transport boxes are on top of one another without projections.

This can also be formulated as an embodiment in which an outlet of a channel at the top of the transport box is straight above an outlet of a channel on the underside of the transport box.

This has the advantage that the channels of a number of stacked transport boxes easily form a passage for cold air, such that a number of stacked transport boxes can be easily cooled by one cold air source.

In a preferred embodiment the transport box is provided with at least two such channels, whereby these channels are not directly connected together.

In this way a transport box can be cooled on two or more sides, so that better cooling is obtained. A circuit of cold air can also be created, such that returning air, still at a lower temperature than the surrounding air, can be cooled again with a lower required cooling power.

In another preferred embodiment the partition is provided with one or more holes through which air can flow.

In this way the cooled gas can adequately flow into the storage compartment, so that better cooling is obtained. When a transport box with two or more channels is used, it is of course advantageous to provide the partitions between the storage compartment and each of the two channels with such holes.

In a further preferred embodiment the transport box is provided with an upright edge on its top and/or underside that fits around the underside or top respectively of an identical transport box in order to stabilise the stack when stacking two or more identical transport boxes.

In another preferred embodiment the transport box is at least partially made from a multilayered material with two layers with a space or spaces between them, whereby a channel is formed by the space or spaces between the layers.

This could be a relatively thick corrugated cardboard or plastic equivalent, whereby the spaces defined by the corrugations act as channels. Of course it must be ensured that these spaces run from the top of the transport box to the bottom of the transport box unhindered and that their size is sufficient to allow an effective air flow.

This has the advantage that the material of the transport box itself forms the channel, so that the transport box can be manufactured more easily and more cheaply, because a complex construction of the transport box is not required.

In a further preferred embodiment there is a channel between a side wall of the transport box and the storage compartment and extends over the full dimension, i.e. the width or length, of this side wall.

In this way a relatively large heat-exchanging surface is obtained, i.e. the partition between the channel and the storage compartment, which also gives similar cooling over the entire storage compartment. At the same time the usable rectangular space of the storage compartment is kept as large as possible, with a flow surface of a channel imposed by preconditions.

In a further preferred embodiment at least the side walls, but also possibly the top and/or bottom walls, are thermally insulating.

In this way a desired temperature can be more easily reached and maintained.

As a result this prevents condensation from the ambient air being deposited on the walls, which could easily lead to mould formation, which is undesirable because it could contaminate the product in the transport box.

The invention further concerns a combination of at least one such transport box and a cooling device, whereby the cooling device is arranged to blow cooled air from an outlet nozzle and whereby the outlet nozzle and a channel of the transport box are arranged to connect with one another.

In a preferred embodiment of the combination it comprises at least two such transport boxes.

The temperature of the cooled air does of course depend on the requirements of the products that are packaged in the transport boxes, and will typically be a few degrees lower than the desired temperature for these products.

In a further preferred embodiment of the combination, the outlet nozzle is arranged to connect with a channel of each of two transport boxes that are placed against one another with their respective channels turned towards one another.

As a result two transport boxes or stacks of transport boxes can be served with cooled air by one single cooling device.

Preferably the outlet nozzle is provided with a closure that can partially close the outlet nozzle, so that when using the cooling device with one transport box or one stack of transport boxes, the part of the outlet nozzle not connecting with a channel can be closed off.

Preferably the cooling device is a low construction, so that a relatively large number of transport boxes can be placed on a cooling device and on one another in a space with a limited height.

Preferably the cooling device is provided with small wheels and is of such a weight and size that it can be moved by one person.

The invention also comprises a method for transporting chilled or frozen products in a vehicle, whereby use is made of a transport box or a combination described above, whereby the products are placed in the transport box and whereby cooled air is generated in the vehicle and guided through a channel of the transport box.

This method can be implemented more cheaply and flexibly than the known methods. This is particularly so with regard to the required investment costs for the transport of relatively small quantities.

In a preferred variant use is made of a combination described above, whereby the cooling device is placed in the vehicle and connected to a source of electric power and whereby the transport box or transport boxes are placed on the cooling device or on one another in such a way that each transport box connects with the outlet nozzle or a channel of a lower transport box.

The invention also relates to a method for transporting chilled or frozen products and for the temporary chilled or frozen storage, whereby the products are transported by means of a method as described above, whereby the products are temporarily stored chilled or frozen directly after transport or vice versa, whereby cooled air is generated during the temporary storage and guided through a channel of the transport box and whereby during storage and during transport the products are in one and the same transport box.

This has the advantage that the products do not have to be repacked, but that the same transport boxes, both during storage and during transport can be kept chilled or frozen in a similar way, so that the entire distribution chain proceeds more easily.

With the intention of better showing the characteristics of the invention, a few preferred embodiments of a transport box, a combination and a method according to the invention are described hereinafter by way of an example, without any limiting nature, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 schematically shows a perspective view of a transport box according to the invention;

FIG. 2 shows a cross-section of the transport box of FIG. 1 according to line II-II;

FIG. 3 shows a cross-section of the transport box of FIG. 1 according to line

FIG. 4 schematically shows a perspective view of a component of a combination according to the invention;

FIG. 5 shows a combination according to the invention during use;

FIG. 6 shows a top view of a component of a combination according to the invention as well as the anticipated use thereof; and

FIG. 7 schematically shows a perspective view of an alternative transport box according to the invention.

The transport box 1 shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 with a width B of 40 cm and a length L of 60 cm has four side walls 2 and a bottom wall 3. On the top the transport box 1 is provided with four cover flaps 4, which can be folded inwards via a fold line 5 in order to close off the transport box 1 in this way and to form a top wall 6.

FIGS. 1 to 3 show the transport box 1 in an open state.

In the side walls 2 halfway along the total height H there is a step-shaped transition 7, such that the bottom half of the transport box 1 has somewhat smaller outside dimensions than the top half of the transport box 1.

On the inside the transport box comprises a storage compartment 8 and two channels 9. These channels 9 are separated from the storage compartment 8 by a partition 10 with holes 11, in this case formed by a perforated sheet of cardboard. These partitions 9 are parallel to two side walls 2, whereby the channels 8 are between these side walls 2 and the storage compartment 8.

The channels 9 both have an end 12 on the top of the transport box and an end 13 on the underside of the transport box 1. The two ends 12, 13 of a channel 9 are exactly above one another so that when two transport boxes 1 are stacked, the two channels 9 connect with one another.

The cooling device 14 shown in FIG. 4 consists of a housing 15 in which traditional electrical cooling is affixed, which blows cooled air via a fan, for example at a temperature of 5° C. The housing 15 is placed on small wheels 16.

The housing 15 is provided with two slots, i.e. an outlet nozzle 17, to which the outlet of the fan is connected and an intake slot 18 to which the inlet of the fan is connected.

The cooling device 14 is further provided with a low upright edge 19. The size of the space formed by the upright edge 19 and the size and position of the outlet nozzle 17 and the intake slot 18 are such that they are complementary to the transport box 1 described above, because the transport box 1 and the cooling device 14 are intended to be used in combination.

The use of the transport box 1 and the cooling device 14 in the distribution of products 20 that have to be transported and stored chilled is simple and as follows and shown in FIG. 5.

A supplier of the products 20 places the ordered products 20 for a certain delivery address in one or more transport boxes 1. This is done for all desired delivery addresses, whereby products 20 for a different delivery address are not placed in the same transport box 1. It goes without saying that the transport boxes 1 are provided with delivery information.

The quantity of filled transport boxes 1 is taken to a distribution point in a cooled lorry for example, where the transport boxes 1 are stacked on one or more cooling devices 14 available at that distribution point, which are in operation or placed in operation.

Hereby the stack is organised such that the transport boxes that are placed on a certain cooling device 14, are intended to be delivered later to the delivery addresses by the same delivery vehicle, i.e. in the same delivery round.

A cross-section of such a stack is shown in FIG. 5. The stacks of transport boxes 1 are formed as follows. The bottom transport box 1 of a stack is placed on a cooling device 14 in an open state with the cover flaps 4 upwards. The bottom half of the transport box 1 fits in the upright edge 19 of the cooling device 14, and the channels 9 on the underside of the transport box 1 hereby connect with the outlet nozzle 17 and the intake slot 18.

A second transport box 1, also in an open state, is placed on the transport box 1 already in position. Hereby the bottom half of this second transport box 1 fits in the upright cover flaps 4 of the bottom transport box 1 and the channels 9 of the transport boxes connect with one another.

This is repeated until there are no more transport boxes 1 that have to be placed on the stack concerned or until the stack has reached a certain maximum height.

The top transport box 1 on a stack is closed.

As can be seen in FIG. 5 the channels 9 located above one another of the transport boxes 1 on the stack together form a passage for air originating from the cooling device 14.

As indicated by arrows in FIG. 5, this air flows upwards from the outlet nozzle 17 through a channel 9 of every transport box 1, then to the other channel 9 via the holes 11 in the partitions 10 and via the storage compartment 8, after which this air is again drawn in through the intake slot 18 to be cooled again and is again blown out of the outlet nozzle 17.

As a result this air flow keeps the products 20 in the transport boxes 1 sufficiently cooled.

The upright cover flaps 4 act as an upright edge on the transport box 1. These, and the upright edge 19 on the cooling device 14, ensure that the transport boxes 1 and the cooling device 14 are placed optimally with respect to one another. They also ensure that the connection of the channels 9 with one another and with the intake slot 18 and the outlet nozzle 17 cannot leak easily and also stabilise the stack.

As a result the products 20 in the transport boxes 1 stay cool at a storage location, even if there is no cold store.

When the products 20 have to be delivered, the cooling device 14 concerned is disconnected from the electricity source to which it is connected, and together with the transport boxes 1 stacked on it, placed in a delivery vehicle and again connected to an electricity source, after which the delivery of the transport boxes 1 with products 20 can take place at the desired delivery addresses.

The cooling device 14 also operates during transport in the delivery vehicle and the products 20 are consequently kept cool.

FIG. 6 shows a top view of a variant of the cooling device 14. This variant differs from the embodiment described above in that the outlet nozzle 17 is wider and that there are two intake slots 18.

This makes such a cooling device 14 suitable for placing two transport boxes 1 or stacks of transport boxes 1 next to one another on the cooling device, hereby making use of the same outlet nozzle 17 and the same cooling device 14.

The intended positions of the transport boxes are shown in dashed lines in FIG. 6. However, these dashed lines do not show any characteristics of the cooling device 14 itself.

Such an embodiment of the cooling device 14 can be equipped with a closure, for example a valve, that can close off half of the outlet nozzle 17, so that this embodiment can also be used with only one transport box 1 or a stack thereof.

The alternative embodiment of a transport box 1 shown in FIG. 7 essentially differs from the transport box 1 described above in the following features:

-   -   The transport box 1 of FIG. 7 only has a channel 9 on one side         wall 2.     -   The partition 10 between the channel 9 and the storage         compartment 8 is not provided with holes, but is solid.     -   The cover flaps 4 can only cover the storage compartment 8 and         not also the channel 9.     -   The side walls 2 of the transport box 1 are straight.

As a result of these modifications the recirculation of cold air during use is not possible, and also the level of cooling of the product 20 in the storage compartment 8 is lower than with the transport box 1 described earlier.

A stack of such transport boxes 1 is less stable, and there is a greater chance of leakage in a stack at the places where a channel 9 of a transport box 1 connects with a channel 9 of an upper or lower transport box 1.

However, against this, this alternative embodiment of the transport box 1 is easier to construct and manufacture, whereby the complementary cooling device 14 is also simpler and cheaper because there does not need to be an upright edge 19, and there does not need to be an intake slot 18 but only an outlet nozzle 18.

When the transport box 1 is made of corrugated cardboard that comprises two layers with a corrugated layer between them, whereby a relatively large corrugation and a relatively large distance between the layers are used, the spaces defined by the corrugations act together as a channel 9.

The transport box can be constructed for one-off use, but also to be reused. In the last case a sturdy construction, for example of PVC or another plastic, is preferred.

If products with different temperature requirements have to be transported, it may be useful to provide the transport boxes with indications and also to provide the cooling device with a similar indication.

Such an indication can be a colour for example, both on the outside of the transport box, and affixed to the cooling device, for example blue for goods that must be kept frozen, red for goods that must be kept between 0 and 4° C., and green for products that must be kept at around 10° C.

The present invention is by no means limited to the embodiments described as an example and shown in the drawings, but a transport box and method according to the invention can be realised in all kinds of forms, dimensions and variants, without departing from the scope of the invention. 

1. Transport box (1) that, in an empty state, comprises a storage compartment (8) for products (20) and comprises at least one channel (9) that is suitable for air transport, that is separated from the storage compartment (8) by a partition (10), and which forms a connection between the top of the transport box (1) and an underside of the transport box.
 2. Transport box according to claim 1, wherein the transport box (1) is arranged such that when forming a stack of at least two such transport boxes (1), a channel (9) of a lower transport box (1) connects with a channel (9) of an upper transport box (1).
 3. Transport box according to claim 1, wherein the storage compartment (8) is accessible from the top of the transport box (1).
 4. Transport box according to claim 1, wherein the transport box is provided with at least two such channels (9), whereby these channels (9) are not directly open towards one another.
 5. Transport box according to claim 1, wherein the partition (10) is provided with one or more holes (10) through which air can flow.
 6. Transport box according to claim 1, wherein the transport box is provided with an upright edge on the top and/or underside of the transport box that fits around the underside or top respectively of an identical transport box (1) in order to stabilise the stack when stacking two or more identical transport boxes (1).
 7. Transport box according to claim 1, wherein there is a channel (9) between a side wall (2) of the transport box (1) and the storage compartment (8) and which extends over the entire dimension (L,B) of this side wall (2), whereby the channel is defined by three side walls (2) and the partition (10).
 8. Combination of at least one transport box (1) according to claim 1 and a cooling device (14), whereby the cooling device is arranged to blow cooled air from an outlet nozzle (17) and the outlet nozzle (17) and a channel (9) of the transport box (1) are arranged to connect with one another.
 9. Combination according to claim 8, wherein the bottom of the transport box (1) and the top of the cooling device (14) are of such a shape that the transport box (1) can be placed stably on the cooling device (14), whereby, in this position, the outlet nozzle (17) and an end (13) of the channel (9) are oriented towards one another such that the outlet nozzle (17) discharges into the channel (9).
 10. Combination according to claim 8, wherein the outlet nozzle (17) is arranged to connect with a channel (9) of each of two transport boxes (1) that are placed against one another with their respective channels (9) turned towards one another.
 11. Combination according to claim 10, wherein the outlet nozzle (17) is provided with a closure that can partially close off the outlet nozzle (17), so that when using the cooling device (14) with one transport box (1) or one stack of transport boxes (1), the part of the outlet nozzle (17) not connecting with a channel (9) can be closed.
 12. Method for cooling or freezing products (20) or for keeping them cool or frozen, wherein use is made of a transport box (1) according to claim 1, whereby the products (20) are placed in the transport box (1) and whereby cooled air is generated and guided through a channel (9) of the transport box (1).
 13. Method for transporting chilled or frozen products (20) in a vehicle, wherein the method comprises a method according to claim 12, whereby the cooled air is generated in the vehicle and guided through the channel (9) of the transport box (1).
 14. Method for transporting chilled or frozen products (20) in a vehicle, wherein the method comprises a method for cooling or freezing products (20) or for keeping them cool or frozen, and wherein use is made of a transport box (1) that, in an empty state, comprises a storage compartment (8) for products (20) and comprises at least one channel (9) that is suitable for air transport, that is separated from the storage compartment (8) by a partition (10), and which forms a connection between the top of the transport box (1) and an underside of the transport box, whereby the products (20) are placed in the transport box (1) and whereby cooled air is generated and guided through a channel (9) of the transport box (1), whereby the cooled air is generated in the vehicle and guided through the channel (9) of the transport box (1), and wherein use is made of a combination according to claim 7, whereby the cooling device (14) is placed in the vehicle and connected to a source of electric power and whereby the transport box (1) or transport boxes (1) are placed on the cooling device (14) or on one another in such a way that a channel (9) of each transport box (14) connects with the outlet nozzle (17) or with a channel (9) of a lower transport box (1).
 15. Method for transporting chilled or frozen products (20) and for their temporary chilled or frozen storage, whereby the products (20) are transported by means of a method according to claim 14, whereby the products (20) are temporarily stored chilled or frozen directly after transport or vice versa, whereby cooled air is generated during the temporary storage and guided through a channel (9) of the transport box (1) and whereby during storage and during transport the products (20) are in the same transport box (1).
 16. Method for transporting chilled or frozen products (20) and for their temporary chilled or frozen storage, whereby the products (20) are transported by means of a method according to claim 14, whereby the products (20) are temporarily stored chilled or frozen directly after transport or vice versa, whereby cooled air is generated during the temporary storage and guided through a channel (9) of the transport box (1) and whereby during storage and during transport the products (20) are in the same transport box (1), whereby use is also made of the combination during storage and whereby the combination, during the transfer from a use during transport to a use during storage or vice versa, is moved from a storage location to the vehicle or vice versa, whereby the transport box (1) or transport boxes (1) that are on the cooling device (14) stay in this position during the transfer.
 17. Transport box according to claim 2, wherein the storage compartment (8) is accessible from the top of the transport box (1).
 18. Transport box according to claim 2, wherein the transport box is provided with at least two such channels (9), whereby these channels (9) are not directly open towards one another.
 19. Transport box according to claim 3, wherein the transport box is provided with at least two such channels (9), whereby these channels (9) are not directly open towards one another.
 20. Transport box according to claim 2, wherein the partition (10) is provided with one or more holes (10) through which air can flow. 